The two who are rekindling their old friendship in a new place have high expectations from the club. Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA will bring moments of joy to Ajinomoto Stadium, while Takahiro KO will lead the team as a linkman. Turning 26 this year, they will reach the peak of their careers. When asked about what they want to achieve at this club, both of them answered "titles" without hesitation. These two, who have yet to taste that victory, came to Tokyo to seize it.
──I think I have had injuries and difficult experiences in my career so far. Is there anything you want to achieve in Tokyo this time?
High I want to become an absolute presence in this club and win titles as a key player.
Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA I also came here to taste victory, so I want to make it happen. I think it's a big club, so as Yan said earlier, there are many players with strong individual skills, so I want to see what kind of taste I can bring out. I think it's also a challenge, so I want to try it as a football player.
──You may need to change something about yourself in order to achieve that. Do you have any personal changes you want to make here?
Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA I am resistant to injuries.
High It's already a joke (lol).
Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA It's not a joke. In Sapporo, (PETROVIC) coach also used me in the game, and it was a really good team. But, there were a lot of injuries and I had a desire to change the environment. By changing the environment like this and getting better from injuries, I think I can show more of my strengths throughout the season. I want to try for that.
High In the era where various things are required of the defensive midfielder, I want to improve all my abilities in both offense and defense. At the Tokyo Okinawa camp, I felt the speed of switching and the high intensity in duels, which are also my strengths, but I also want to improve even more in those areas.
──Tokyo aims to play an aggressive style of football. What do you think is necessary to instill this style in the team?
High Of course, there is also the soccer that coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI wants to play, and I think it is a club where results are expected, so there may be difficult parts. However, if we are going to pursue an attacking style of soccer, having an unwavering stance is really important. It is important to not get too excited or disappointed about a single win or loss, and to continue building day by day. I felt that in Niigata as well. We worked on that style of passing from the first season of joining, and at first it didn't go well and we couldn't even get promoted. But still, in the second and third seasons, we continued to do it and eventually won the J2 league, and were able to aim for a single-digit ranking in the J1 league. Continuity is absolutely important.
Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA I may have had a similar experience, but when the results don't come, there will be a gap between players and it will never go in a good direction. It is important to trust the coach and if some players are suspicious, no soccer will work well. I think it is important to continue to believe that our coach is the best.
──How do you feel about the potential of this team?
High There aren't many games, but I think there are players with strong personalities even during practice, and I feel that there is a player layer that can aim for the top and even the title. In addition, I feel the support and cooperation of various people, including team staff and partnership. In order to meet the expectations of these people, I think we need to produce results.
Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA When I look at the members, I think it's definitely an amazing team. How to incorporate that into soccer. I think there is that potential in Tokyo, so if we can combine strong individuals well, we can definitely go to the top. I want to make the most of this camp period, and there is a preparation period until the opening after returning to Tokyo. If we can adjust well in those areas, I believe we can definitely compete for the top.
- From the establishment of the club until now, we have not been able to achieve a J1 league victory in 25 years. While that is our ultimate goal, how do you feel about building a golden age as the core after our first victory, and leaving our mark in the history of the club?
High I think it's a great team with a great scale, but for me, not being able to win the league title is a big deal, and if I can win the league here, I thought I could definitely leave my mark on the history of this club. That's one of the reasons I decided to transfer. I want to fight hard here, win titles, and leave my mark on the history of the club.
Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA If we can achieve the league championship, which we have not been able to do so far, and we can do it like this, I think it will lead to our evaluation. I came to Tokyo with that intention, so I want to do my best to aim for it. I have decided to fight with all my strength for this team when I transferred here, so of course I want to aim for the championship, but I just want to continue to do my best for the team.
──Finally, I would like to send a message to all the fans and supporters.
High I want to play with all my might to win, and I think I have a stronger desire to win than anyone else. I will contribute my own growth to the team and fight firmly, so please support me.
Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA In my first year in Tokyo, I want to score a goal that can capture the hearts of the fans and supporters. First, I want to fully recover quickly, improve my condition towards the opening, and share the joy together with my goals.
I decided to leave from the familiar place. This transfer was supposed to be a decision of a gamble that put my career at stake. The reunion of our existence there was so reassuring. We are the same age and have recognized each other's existence since we were young. We may become a relationship that matches our pace and confirms the strength of our thoughts. The future of the two of us in blue and red is finally beginning.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
